PR 39

I rise to inform the House of the recent developments in Northern Sri Lanka.

Hon’ble Members would recall that conclusion of the military conflict in Northern Sri Lanka presented Sri Lanka with an opportunity to heal the wounds created by decades of protracted conflict, to make a new beginning and to build a better future for its people.

Government of India had emphasized to the Sri Lankan Government that the time had indeed come to focus on issues of relief, rehabilitation, resettlement and reconciliation. We had expressed our readiness to work with the Government of Sri Lanka in the rehabilitation and reconstruction process of Northern Sri Lanka and in restoring normalcy.

In the aftermath of the conflict, the presence of nearly 300,000 Internally Displaced Persons (idPs) in camps in Northern Sri Lanka posed a major challenge for the Sri Lankan Government. It was crucial that these idPs were given immediate humanitarian attention and that urgent steps were taken to resettle them in their original places of habitation. This would, ultimately, ensure that a semblance of normalcy was restored to their lives after the traumatic experience they had undergone during the conflict. Their welfare was the first priority.

Our concern on this score was conveyed to the Sri Lankan Government. We have consistently urged the Government of Sri Lanka to quicken the pace of rehabilitation and resettlement. They had agreed that the bulk of the idPs would be resettled within 180 days.

In October this year, a delegation of Parliamentary Members from Tamil Nadu had visited Sri Lanka to study the rehabilitation and relief work being undertaken in Northern Sri Lanka. They had visited Jaffna, the idP camps in Vavuniya, the Up-country Plantation areas in Central Sri Lanka and met the idPs in the camps, witnessed the distribution of the humanitarian relief items donated by India and held discussions with a cross-section of the leaders of the Sri Lankan Tamil community and the Indian Origin Tamils. They called on the President of Sri Lanka H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Subsequent to their visit, more than 100,000 idPs have been resettled. According to Sri Lankan Government sources, a total of more than 150,000 idPs have been resettled and around 145,000 still remain in the camps. We understand more have been resettled recently. Travel restrictions in Northern Sri Lanka as well as those on the remaining have been relaxed. We have been assured that by end-January 2010, all idPs would be resettled. We continue to work with the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the resettlement of all idPs.

India has been actively involved in the critical task of providing humanitarian relief and assisting in the rehabilitation of the idPs in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka. 2.5 lakh family packs from Tamil Nadu, consisting of dry rations, clothing, utensils, footwear etc, have been rushed to the idPs since October last year. The 60-member emergency field hospital set up by India in March operated for six months till September this year and treated more than 50,000 patients, many of them serious cases requiring surgery. Two consignments of medical supplies have also been gifted.

After Prime Minister’s announcement in June 2009 in the Parliament, Government set aside an amount Rs. 500 crores for the rehabilitation of the idPs and for the welfare of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. We are committed to doing more. Our humanitarian effort in Sri Lanka has transitioned from a purely relief effort to a broader rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. In order to facilitate speedy resettlement of idPs, India is extending much needed de-mining assistance. Four Indian de-mining teams are currently in Sri Lanka. After our Parliamentary delegation suggested enhancing Indian assistance in the field of demining, we are sending three more de-mining teams. To ensure that returning idPs have a roof over their heads, India has donated 2,600 tonnes of shelter material. Additional 2,600 tonnes of shelter material is being sent. We will also supply cement to assist the returning idPs to rebuild damaged housing. To address the vulnerable sections of the society emerging out of a military conflict, especially war widows, we are undertaking a project for their rehabilitation as well.

India has also decided to assist Sri Lanka in reviving agriculture in the North. To begin with 20,000 agricultural starter packs have been supplied. Supply of an additional 50,000 packs is in the pipeline. A team led by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research visited Sri Lanka to work out a blueprint for our assistance to revive agriculture in Northern Sri Lanka.

Infrastructure is a priority area. The extension of assistance under Lines of Credit to take up projects in railway infrastructure reconstruction in Northern Sri Lanka and provision of rolling stock is receiving our attention, as also construction projects in the North and East of Sri Lanka to rejuvenate the cultural and social life amongst the people. At the same time, the requirements of the up-country Indian Origin Tamils are also not lost sight of. Skill development and capacity building are areas of focus, as also vocational training and the provision of enhanced educational opportunities.

Government is keen to see the revival of the political process in Sri Lanka, which will meet the legitimate interests and aspiration of all communities, including the Tamils and the Muslims, within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. Revival of such a political process and an inclusive dialogue would help bring the minority communities into the political mainstream. We have continued to emphasise to the Sri Lankan Government to put forward a meaningful devolution package that would go beyond the 13th Amendment. We will remain engaged with them through this process of transition and reform.

Before I conclude, I would like to reiterate to this august House that the welfare and the safety of our fishermen in the waters between India and Sri Lanka have always received very high priority by Government. Government and our High Commission in Sri Lanka have always taken up matters relating to the expeditious release of the arrested Indian fishermen. Hon’ble Members would recall that it was with a view to address the humanitarian and livelihood dimensions of this issue that Government reached an Understanding with the Sri Lankan Government in October 2008 to put in place practical arrangements to deal with bonafide Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line. The Understanding of October 2008 has had a salutary effect on the situation. While in 2008, 334 boats and 1456 of our fishermen were apprehended by Sri Lankan Government, in 2009, till end of November, we have had only 31 boats and 124 fishermen apprehended, witnessing a sharp decrease. We have continued to emphasize to the Sri Lankan Government the need to scrupulously adhere to the October 2008 Understanding. However, it is important that our fishermen do not venture deep into Sri Lankan waters for their own safety and security.

Government attaches utmost importance to the rehabilitation and the reconstruction efforts being undertaken by Sri Lanka in the North. As a close neighbour, India continues to do whatever it can to assist Sri Lanka at this crucial turning point in the country’s history.


New Delhi